Pest Library

Mosquitoes are a type of fly and unwelcome pests in our yards because the females require blood meals to create their eggs. To obtain their blood meals, they use their elongated, piercing mouthparts to pierce the skin of their animal or human host. Mosquitoes are relentless pests that swarm together in large numbers delivering painful, itchy bites that spread serious diseases like the West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Unfortunately, in Ohio, mosquitoes are most active in the summer and fall when we are also most active outside, trying to enjoy our yards and other outdoor spaces. The hot, humid weather provides them with all the food and water they need to complete their life cycle.

Mosquitoes are outdoor pests and can become a problem on any property; however, their populations are highest in areas with a lot of standing water. Standing water is a vital component of the mosquito’s life cycle. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on top of standing water, so properties near wooded areas, drainage ditches, ponds, and lakes tend to have high populations of mosquitoes living on them, but it is not just those with properties near large areas of standing water that need to worry about problems with mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will lay their eggs on top of standing water that gathers almost anywhere, such as in buckets, on top of tarps, in clogged gutters, old tires, and low-lying areas in driveways.

To make your property less attractive to these biting pests, utilize the following helpful prevention tips:

• The biggest thing you can do to limit mosquito activity in your yard is to eliminate standing water from your property. Remove containers that can collect water or store them upside down when not in use.
• Fill in low-lying areas that accumulate rainwater, and shake off the water that gathers on tarps or trash can lids.
• Keep gutters clear of debris and don’t overwater gardens or potted plants.
• Keep mosquitoes from accidentally moving into your home by ensuring the screens in windows and doors are secure and free of holes.
• It is also important to reduce the amount of vegetation you have in your yard for mosquitoes to use as resting areas.

Rodents are one of the most troublesome pests for home and business owners. They are active year-round, meaning whether it is the middle of the summer or the middle of the winter, rodents could be busy breeding and feeding in your yard or home! Some rodents like house mice, field mice, roof rats, and Norway rats are regular visitors to our indoor and outdoor spaces. Other rodents like shrews and voles tend to be more of a problem in our yards and gardens. No matter the rodents, they all have chisel-like front incisors that grow continuously throughout their lives and help identify them.

Rodents are never a welcome sight on our properties. They cause structural damage, contaminate food, dig through our yards and gardens, are prolific breeders, and are challenging to eliminate. They also spread diseases and parasites and produce foul odors. The good news is that if rodents have found a way onto your property, they tend to leave behind noticeable signs, helping you to discover and eliminate them sooner rather than later!

Rodents leave behind large amounts of their dark, rice-like dropping as they travel throughout our homes and around nesting sites. Their droppings are often found on floors, on counters, in drawers, and behind furniture. Rodents tend to be loud pests; when they are in our homes, it is common to hear them gnawing, running, and squeaking behind walls. Outside, rodents cause telltale damage like creating runways through the grass, ground holes, and nibbling on tree bark.

To make your property less attractive to these dangerous and destructive animals, try these helpful prevention tips:

• Make your yard less desirable by keeping the grass mowed short, filling in ground holes, and eliminating excess ground cover.
• Keep rodents out of your house by inspecting its exterior and sealing openings you find in the foundation, roofline, and around windows and doors.
• Leave a barrier of crushed rock between any mulch or soil and your foundation.
• Keep trash cans, recycling bins, and woodpiles away from your home’s exterior walls.
• Eliminate easy access to food by keeping lids on trash cans, regularly harvesting gardens, picking up uneaten pet food, and keeping eating areas clean.